Details of your catches:

Unfortunately there was only 2 of us fishing as one person could not make it in the end. We had 21 fish in the end biggest at 32lb 14 oz. One Koi at 14lb and one grassy at 19lb 10oz all the rest were 20lb plus including a pike of 18lb and another grassy at 20lb 10oz.
One real problem is the Poisson chat we had in the region of 40 and these were specimens up to 12inches long.

Your best tactics/bait/rigs:

We were advised to use Urban baits red spicy fish and nutcracker and mesh them so we did but this does not deter the Poisson chat, what they do is suck the bait out of the mesh. I'm not saying don't use them as we caught a few fish on them and they do work but we found rock hard pop ups the best.

When we arrived at the venue we noticed the water down approximately 1 1/2 feet the venue is virtually flat with no features, you can see this yourselves through articles on the Angling lines web site, we mainly fished to the far bank and open water to the left of the jetty where on this occasion the aerater was placed so fishing from the jetty was a not happening unless you fished at 90 degrees to the jetty along both margins. As already said the water was down about 1 1/2 feet so even the margin swims were unfishable to such an extent that to the right hand side of the jetty part of the lake up the end had dried up.

Back to where we placed our baits, when standing on the veranda outside the house you have a willow on the opposite bank with a small gap between the willow and the tree to the right of it, the bottom is hard here so the lead does not really plug in, fish approximately 10 yards off this or closer. Moving along again to the right you will see 3 reddish bushes this will also produce. As I have already mentioned open water to the left of the jetty will produce but the mud is thick and leads will plug in quite heavily but if you lead around there is a hard patch. The left hand side of the island did not produce anything all week but this has been mentioned before in the feedback section, I'm sure it has its day though.

Were the facilities what you expected?

We took our wives with us and we were disappointed with the facilities especially after reading so many other feedbacks and seeing the pictures on the web site.

Starting outside, when our friends arrived on the Saturday (earlier than we did) they noticed the patio area had not been cleaned, I know they arrived earlier than they should have but Gilles could have asked them to come back a little later when the cleaning had been completed but he didn't, our friends and myself and my wife ended up cleaning and washing the patio when we arrived at 6.45pm. The pool area was reasonably clean, all be it the weeds coming through the flagstone tiles, but the most disheartening thing was the black mould around the waterline at one end of the pool. The chairs were also mouldy as were the covers. The underneath of the veranda roof could also have been swept to get rid of cobwebs and insects. Again we ended up cleaning it. There is a handrail going downstairs to the lower accommodation. The top part of it as you walk down has come away from the wall and this is very dangerous and was mentioned to Sharon. Around the back you have a deck area where you could sit but is in such a state of disrepair you were worried to walk on it plus there were nails sticking up, a hazard for small children. Inside the house the kitchen cupboards could do with being replaced, they actually have no bottoms to them so pots and pans sit on the floor, not hygienic at all especially when you have mice as would be expected in such a rural area. The stereo has only one speaker working and the hand controls for the t.v etc had to have the batteries replaced as they did not work. The upstairs is pretty okay with the bedrooms and bathrooms being clean and tidy. However, in the bathroom with the shower, the sink plug does not work because there is no seal on the plug so you have to keep filling the bowl up or have a very quick wash. The shower was adequate but very small. There are no fly screens on any of the bedroom windows, which means being unable to have the windows open on warm nights. There are also no fans at the property to help with keeping the bedrooms cooler, nor was there any offer to provide any if we had wanted them.

Were you happy with them?

On the whole it wasn't too bad, what must be remembered this is a venue for not only anglers, but families, and the things which have been mentioned could be off putting for certain people. One thing which I would like to also say is that Gilles only appeared on the Saturday our friends arrived and we did not see him after that, it would of been nice to have met him as we didn't turn up till later and to talk about the lake and tactics.

Would you recommend the venue to a friend?

As a family venue yes, if they don't mind the things mentioned. It's a long drive to the venue, and if you don't mind the long journey that's fine but 2 of us chose to fly and rent a car from Bergerac airport. It's quite an easy journey through lovely countryside and you get to hire the tackle from Gilles anyway.

Would you recommend the services to a friend?

Yes

General Comments:

As long as you don't mind the comments then yes I have been assured that all the things mentioned will be addressed.

*Angling Lines note* We did speak to customer at length regarding this feedback as it is in such contrast to all other feedback recieved this season. Some of the complaint is factually incorrect - there are three fans in the main house, two in the wardrobe in the blue room and one downstairs. Gilles did call in a couple of times during the week but the clients were out (however he is always at the end of the phone if needed). Other issues have now been resolved. Batteries needing replacing and the plug can be resolved immediately if notified at the time so we always urge clients to give us a call - we'll be happy to put it right straight away.

Details of your catches:

We arrived at mas bas sunday early hours 9th september and what a cracking week we had everything was perfect we had 49 carp from 21lb to 45lb 13oz. We all enjoyed it fantastic

Your best tactics/bait/rigs:

We wrapped our baits but wasn't working so went back to basics and never looked back fish after fish using spicey boilies by starbaits never used before but never let us down 9kg used over the 6days

Were the facilities what you expected?

10/10 was so perfect place clean and tidy stunning views and perfect weather but will fly next time as having a good chat with Gilles and finding out how easy it is to get there and looking at the hired fishing gear they provide was good, so we no next time.

Were you happy with them?

It was fantastic and will be back 2020 if have available dates.

Would you recommend the venue to a friend?

Definitely

Would you recommend the services to a friend?

Yes

General Comments:

Thanks for a brilliant week and smashed my pb from 19lb to a whopping 45lb 13oz which was the catch of the week also, good memories

Details of your catches:

40 fish in total, biggest 43lb, fishing days only

Your best tactics/bait/rigs:

Hardened hookbaits, wrapped, plus tigers worked best.

Were the facilities what you expected?

Yes, first time in the main house after staying several times at Lotus. Wonderful house, fab location and lake, stunning and peaceful.

Were you happy with them?

Everything was great.

Would you recommend the venue to a friend?

Yes

Would you recommend the services to a friend?

Yes

General Comments:

Great week, thoroughly enjoyed, thanks for letting us stay.

Details of your catches:

11x 20's
8x 30's
3x 40's
1x Grassy

I only fished 4 to 5 hours a day as the weather was lovely, mid 30's most the week, so I spent most afternoons having a chill out by the pool and a few beers! We also had a few trips out to the local towns (which we highly recommend, the local scenery is superb)!

No need to fish at night as the early morning and evening were great bite times. Fished 2 rods most the time as we have several double runs and trying to get 2 fish on the bank with just one angler was tricky, the girls did a great job helping out with the photos and helping me unhook and weigh the fish!

Your best tactics/bait/rigs:

I baited regularly with Urban Baits Spicy Red Fish and Nutracker, 5-10 baits over each spot every 15 or so minutes. Bites came really quick, you will know if you are in the wrong as you won't get a take within half an hour

Simple D-Rigs with size 4 Krank hooks and double bottom 22mms worked well. I even used triple bottom baits at times to combat the poisson chat and still got bites. Only 2 fish caught on balanced Tigers.

I fished most the week from in front the house, the best spots were the aerator (when it was turned on), middle of the lake and the far margin, casting slightly to the left.

Were the facilities what you expected?

Facilities inside and outside were great. Kitchen was well equipped and had everything we needed. We used the BBQ almost every night.

The unhooking mats, weighing tripod etc was brilliant; made weighing so much easier.

Were you happy with them?

Yes!

Would you recommend the venue to a friend?

Absolutely! Giles and Sharon were fantastic, friendly hosts.

Would you recommend the services to a friend?

Definitely, Angling Lines were great from start to finish.

General Comments:

Overall a superb holiday. We stopped half way on the travel down, we stayed in Orleans Friday night and arrived on the Saturday afternoon. The drive is a fair way from Calais, but the roads are clear and easy to follow.